With the intention of increasing commercial fleets’ trust in retreaded tyres, Bridgestone has introduced ‘The Bandag Contract of Trust’. The guarantee aims to reassure fleets that Bandag retreads are a safe and reliable alternative to a new set of tyres, as well as a solution for reducing fleets’ tyre related costs per kilometre, Bridgestone states. The proposition applies also to retreads made from Bridgestone and Firestone tyre casings. Their retreadability by Bandag is also guaranteed.

The Bandag Contract of Trust, which is to be signed between Bandag dealers and fleet operators, was revealed for the first time at Reifen 2016, in Essen, Germany. It will be introduced progressively across Europe, following announcements to be made by Bandag.

Harald Van Ooteghem, senior manager truck & bus tyres category management at Bridgestone Europe, explains: “Some fleet operators have been slow to accept retreads in their tyre programme. With ‘The Bandag Contract of Trust’ we aim to convince them that Bandag retreads, backed by Bridgestone, play a vital role in tyre management and operating efficiency.”

Total Tyre Life concept supports Contract

Central to ‘The Bandag Contract of Trust’ is Bridgestone’s Total Tyre Life concept, an approach arguing that the combination of new premium tyres, manufactured with fully retreadable casings, followed by quality retreads can help fleets to reduce their operating costs through a lower cost per km over the whole tyre life.

“Our fleet customers who regularly use retreads in their tyre programme see the benefits clearly; they acknowledge that mounting retreads gives them a better return on investment and brings down the cost per kilometre,” adds Harald Van Ooteghem.

The Contract provides fleets with three guarantees under applicable conditions:

Guarantee #1: The Bandag retread warranty, providing trouble-free performance as you expect from premium new tyres;

Guarantee #2: A lower tyre cost per km with Bandag retreads than the fleet’s fitted tyres;

In addition to these guarantees, Bridgestone stresses the green credentials of retreading. Retread production’s lower ecological footprint through the use of fewer natural resources and less energy compared to the production of new tyres helps to contribute to more sustainable mobility, a mission shared by both Bridgestone and Bandag, the company concludes.